Pilanesberg National Park

The Pilanesberg National Park is the fourth largest national park in South Africa and is set high in the Pilanesberg mountain range, traversing the floor of an ancient and now long extinct volcano over 1000 million years old.  Mankwe Dam situated in the center of the reserve is a gathering point for many of the animals, providing excellent photo opportunities for the visitor.  This park is about 2.5 hour’s drive from Johannesburg.  The park offers a wide diversity of animal species, including the Big Five, 350 bird species and 54 reptile species as well as thousands of other interesting smaller animals. 

The Tours include travel time to and from Pilanesberg to Johannesburg & Pretoria. These are guided tours looking for animals and stopping at some game hides to view animals at the water and are done by a Tourist Guide or Game Ranger. Accommodation can be arranged for option 3.

Itineraries

Option 1 (Excellent choice if you only have 1 day in JHB)

Pick-up early at 6 o’clock from Johannesburg or Pretoria. This drive is +- 2.5 hours with a half way stop at a Wimpy for a take away breakfast. We arrive at +- 8:30 and start our game viewing in an air-conditioned vehicle for the rest of the day. Lunch at Bakubung restaurant with a waterhole view over the Pilanesberg. We return to the park for the rest of the afternoon and then return to your hotel. We could do a stop at Chameleon Village for some curio shopping. Return time at your hotel is 6:30 Pm.

Option 2 (Experience day and night game drive)

We depart at 10:00 am so you have time for a nice breakfast as the day is going to be a long one. The drive to the Pilanesberg is 2 hours 30 minutes and really scenic. I use the Manyane gate to enter the park and we will do a slow drive in an air-conditioned vehicle searching for the elusive big 5 visiting 3 waterholes and a gamehide along the way. We stop for lunch at Bakubung and then depart at 16:00 for a +-3 hour late afternoon/early evening game drive in a Bakubung  game drive vehicle (open vehicle). After the drive we return to your hotel. Return time is 9:30 pm.

Please note: We can stop (on route) at Chameleon Village should you wish to purchase South African curio. 

Option 3 ( If you want to have more time in the park)

Should you wish to stay over one or two nights. We depart early from Johannesburg or Pretoria and stop at a Wimpy for breakfast. We use either Bakubung lodge or Manyane camp depending on your budget but both are excellent accommodation. We check in after a game drive through the park and after a short rest, depart on an early evening game drive searching for animals in the park with a game ranger. Dinner at either Bakubung or Manyane. Should you want a second day in the park, we will be doing two game drives in an open vehicle with a game ranger. Lunch and dinner will be at the lodge.

We have an early morning start with a drive through the park hoping to see lion or leopard on the prowl and a 9:00 breakfast at the lodge. We check out and re-enter the park for the rest of the day searching for animals and depart for Johannesburg or Pretoria in the afternoon. We can stop at Chameleon village for some curio shopping.